Tennessee Performing Arts Center facts for kids
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| Address | 505 Deaderick Street Nashville, Tennessee United States |
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| Coordinates | 36°09′54″N 86°46′54″W / 36.1649°N 86.7817°W |
| Type | Performing arts center |
| Capacity | Andrew Jackson Hall: 2,472 James K. Polk Theater: 1,075 Andrew Johnson Theater: 256 |
| Opened | 1980 |
The Tennessee Performing Arts Center, or TPAC, is a super cool place in downtown Nashville, Tennessee. It's where you can watch amazing shows! TPAC is part of the James K. Polk Cultural Center. It takes up a whole city block and is right next to a tall state office building. You can find it at 505 Deaderick Street.
Contents
History of TPAC: How It Started
The idea for a big performing arts center in Nashville began in 1972. A woman named Martha Rivers Ingram was inspired by the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. She wanted Nashville to have a similar place.
Martha Ingram suggested a special plan. It would be a team effort between the government and private groups. This meant the state would own the building, but a private group would help run it. Many people didn't think it was possible, but Martha kept trying for eight years! She worked with three different governors to make her dream come true.
Finally, in 1980, the Tennessee Performing Arts Center opened its doors. It became the top theater spot in Tennessee. TPAC has three theaters and is located right across from the Tennessee State Capitol.
TPAC does many things, like bringing famous Broadway shows to Nashville. It also has a big education program for students. Martha Ingram and her friends also raised money to help TPAC run smoothly. They wanted to make sure future audiences could enjoy the shows. They aimed for $3.5 million but raised an amazing $5 million!
Today, that money has grown to $20 million. Every year, over 100,000 students from kindergarten to 12th grade visit TPAC. They come to see performances by groups like the Nashville Ballet, the Nashville Opera, and the Tennessee Repertory Theatre. These groups are based at TPAC and perform all year long. Other groups also use TPAC for plays, dance, concerts, and other fun cultural events.
A group of 27 people called the Board of Directors helps manage TPAC. They serve for three years to guide the center.
Performance Venues: The Theaters of TPAC
The theaters at TPAC are named after three Presidents who were from Tennessee. Each theater is special and hosts different kinds of shows.
Andrew Jackson Hall: The Biggest Stage
Andrew Jackson Hall is the largest theater at TPAC. It can seat 2,472 people, including some seats right near the stage. The stage is huge, over 130 feet wide and 53 feet deep! It's perfect for big Broadway tours, award shows, TV specials, and major concerts.
This hall has lots of space behind the scenes for performers and equipment. There are 14 dressing rooms, including a special one for stars. It even has quick-change rooms right on stage!
James K. Polk Theater: Up Close and Personal
The James K. Polk Theater feels very cozy, even though it's quite large. It has 1,075 seats, with some close to the stage. The stage is more than 87 feet by 50 feet. It's great for shows that want to feel more intimate.
This theater has plenty of space for performers, too. There are 10 dressing rooms and a quick-change room. It's designed to make you feel close to the action on stage.
Andrew Johnson Theater: For New and Exciting Shows
The Andrew Johnson Theater is the smallest of TPAC's theaters. It's perfect for new, experimental, or unique performances. The main stage area is open and can be set up in many ways. It can seat up to 256 people.
This theater is great for live plays, acoustic concerts, readings, and lectures. It has two dressing rooms for up to 24 performers. It's a flexible space for creative shows.
War Memorial Auditorium: A Historic Venue
TPAC also helps manage the War Memorial Auditorium. This historic building has 1,661 seats. It's located near Nashville's capitol building, right across the street from TPAC.
Resident Companies: Groups That Call TPAC Home
TPAC is home to several amazing performing arts groups. These groups perform regularly at the center, bringing a variety of shows to Nashville audiences.
- Nashville Ballet
- Nashville Opera
- Tennessee Repertory Theatre
